Hi... The following request for information is not specific to the K3 (or even to Elecraft). Please craft your response to be generic.
Despite being an active ham/contester for over 40 continuous years (but not being an ee), I just do not understand how a "preamp" works. It is not a "smart" device, so how does it "know" to amplify the signal and not the noise? I first used a preamp way back when (1960's) when I was a teenager...it was an Ameco job. It was more "fun" than useful, because I could give out "big" S meter reports. Later, when listening in the noise became more important to my style of operation, I never could notice a difference between putting the preamp "on" and just turning up the volume (many rigs with built-in preamps too). Sometimes, turning up the AF gain worked better. So...HOW does a preamp help to "bring a signal out of the noise" without the use of some fancy computer algorithms backed by lots of computing power? Further, does a preamp really "improve" sensitivity? I have yet to find a signal that I could not copy (or hear) with any preamp "on" vs increasing the AF gain. PS...I am talking about HF. I know that lots of guys use a preamp on 160m with their beverages, so the effect must be real...right? HOW does a "dumb" device do it? de Doug KR2Q _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
